A Farewell Salute to
Maj. Gen. Wins ’85

As the tenure of Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85 as VMI’s 15th superintendent winds down, and he prepares to take his leave and bid farewell, it is fitting to honor the man who came into the position and led the Institute through difficult times, both locally and globally.

Wins’ bond with VMI began on Matriculation Day in August 1981. Recruited to play NCAA basketball, he discovered very quickly his first day as a rat that the VMI system is designed to teach a life focused on teamwork and a willingness to support others. Wins believes VMI’s unique educational method, which includes the Rat Line, the regimental and class systems, and the highly revered Honor Code, has the potential to allow young men and women a period of “intense self-discovery.”

Wins played basketball all 4 years of his cadetship, finishing among the top five scorers in VMI history, and graduated with a degree in economics. During his cadetship, he was involved in the Promaji Club and the Society for Young Economists.

At graduation, he commissioned into the Army and served for 34 years. During his Army career, Wins held positions in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, the 2nd, 4th, and 7th Infantry Divisions, Combined Army Support Command, and U.S. Special Operations Command. His overseas service included the Republic of Korea; peacekeeping in the Sinai Desert, Egypt; and wartime service in Afghanistan. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Defense Superior Service medal, the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, and many others.

Wins was the first commanding general of the Army Combat Capabilities Command, the Army’s organic science, technology, and analysis organization dedicated to developing combat capabilities, and retired as a two-star general. During his military service, he was often reminded of the lessons he learned at VMI. “I’ve been in situations during my Army career where things were occurring that really could have meant a soldier gets harmed or killed,” he stated. “In those moments, you as a leader aren’t expected to collapse, fold, or shrink under pressure, in part, because my VMI experience taught me resolve.”

Indeed, resolve was needed as Wins stepped into the position vacated by Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, the Institute’s 14th superintendent. Peay resigned Oct. 26, 2020, at the request of Governor Ralph Northam ’81 and legislative leaders days after they promised an independent third-party review of the Institute’s “culture, policies, practices, and equity in disciplinary procedures” with regard to accusations of racism and sexism. The rapid global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak during the 2020–21 academic year. Countries sealed their borders, sports teams canceled their seasons, and schools, including VMI, moved classes online. Additionally, the number of admissions applications to VMI had been falling for more than a decade with no apparent understanding of why or a plan to address the decline.

To tackle these challenges, Wins again applied what he learned as a cadet and had used throughout his military career. “We must do the right things for the right reasons. I will focus on what is best each and every day for the Corps of Cadets and VMI,” he stated when he became interim superintendent in November 2020. In April 2021, he was named superintendent by a unanimous vote of the VMI Board of Visitors.

In response to the Commonwealth’s audit into VMI’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, and spending countless hours listening to cadets, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni to better understand the culture of the Institute, Wins released his “One Corps-One VMI: A Unifying Action Plan” in June 2021. The plan focused on five goals: Honor; diversity and inclusion; the VMI brand; competing and winning, and one VMI. His purpose of the plan was, “For the VMI community to come together as brother rats, fellow cadets, alumni, and friends to make an already special place even more special. We cannot do this as a community of factions. VMI has a long history of improvement. Now is no different. The Institute will move forward and will be better because of this chapter in our history.”

Wins was inaugurated as VMI’s 15th superintendent Sept. 10, 2021, and honored with a parade by the Corps of Cadets, a reception in Marshall Hall, and a 13-gun salute.

During his time as superintendent, Wins made a point of being visible throughout post, often with his wife, Cassandra, by his side. He regularly attended sporting events, especially football at Foster Stadium and basketball in Cameron Hall, where he often was animated and vocal. He took review of countless parades and presided over and spoke at annual ceremonies, including matriculation, convocation, Ring Figure, commissioning, and commencement. He frequently met with faculty and paid visits to classes, barracks, and Crozet Hall to join cadets for meals. He welcomed VIPs to his office and personally conducted post tours.

In addition, Wins went out of his way to ensure employee morale stayed strong and recognized staff for their labors. He attended the annual employee recognition breakfast, where employee milestones were recognized; established an annual family day celebration, where employees could bring their families for a day of fun and relaxation; and hosted a holiday open house at the superintendent’s quarters. He also worked to acquire additional funds to make sure employees’ salaries remain competitive.

Wins also managed and executed daily Institute tasks and focused on the cadet experience. He placed emphasis on building a strategic enrollment management infrastructure which, during the 2024–25 recruitment period, boasted the largest number of applications ever received during an admissions cycle. Wins visited Richmond often to lobby on behalf of the Institute with the General Assembly and the governor and attended the annual legislative reception held at the Library of Virginia each February. His efforts to build relationships in the General Assembly led to a 65% increase in state funding to VMI during his tenure. He worked long hours in his office in Smith Hall, where a light could be seen burning into the dark of the evening sky.

Wins publicly introduced his strategic plan, “Forging 21st Century Leaders,” during Founders Day celebrations for the 185th anniversary of VMI’s founding in November 2024. The plan is a culmination of 2 years of collaboration among cadets, faculty, staff, board members, and alumni, and a call to action built on five critical initiatives: 1. Preparing Exceptional Leaders: producing educated and honorable citizen-leaders; 2. Strengthening Academic Excellence: equipping cadets with the intellectual tools to navigate and shape the future; 3. Fostering Esprit de Corps: unity, pride, and mutual respect that binds; 4. Recruiting Top Cadets and Boosting Success: sharpening recruitment strategies and attracting top talent from across the world; and 5. Delivering 21st Century Infrastructure: investing in modern classrooms, labs, technology, and physical fitness facilities.

With the implementation of this plan, Wins sees VMI in 2034 firmly secured in its place as the premier small college in the nation, unequaled in producing educated, honorable, and adaptable citizen-soldiers and leaders. He described this as, “A VMI with a global reputation for academic excellence, a renowned model for leadership training, and a shining example of what it means to lead with honor, courage, and selfless service.”

Wins’ additional achievements include the ribbon cutting and dedication of the $44 million Aquatic Center in January 2023, the addition of the Coast Guard as the sixth military branch to which cadets began receiving direct commissions in May 2023, and VMI achieving a 5-star rating from Money magazine’s Best Colleges in America—the only senior military college to achieve such a rating in 2024.

Eddie Williams II ’83, VMI women’s track and field head coach, graduated 2 years ahead of Wins and knew him as a cadet. “I’m most impressed by Major General Wins’ humility, as well as how respectfully he treats others,” said Williams. “He has an impressive character, especially in the face of adversity. He is competent and committed to excellence. I’ve always believed that the first responsibility of a leader is to define expectations and create a positive environment where individuals can be successful. The last is to say, ‘thank you.’ That epitomizes Major General Wins in my book,” Williams continued.

Col. Jeff Boobar ’86, VMI’s Office of Finance and Support senior director, also knew Wins when they were both cadets. “Having had the joy of watching fellow Cadet Wins thrill the Corps on the floor of Cameron Hall, and the privilege and honor of working with Superintendent Wins, I am proud to say that his dedication to the Corps of Cadets and his love for the Institute have never wavered. I hope that he continues to serve VMI as superintendent emeritus for many years to come,” he said.

Wins gave a farewell address to the entire Corps of Cadets in Cameron Hall May 13. He reminded them that the VMI brand is not simply a logo or phrase. “It’s how you live. It’s how the community sees the Corps and how it recognizes each and every one of your accomplishments.” He told them that it is unfortunate they got swirled into the political firestorm of the past 5 years. “Because I know and you know that is not who you are. The Corps consists of young men and women who come here with a purpose, who come here wanting to accept the challenge and to strive and succeed in every field of endeavor. You demonstrate each and every day what you do because you live a life of honor.”

Wins stated that each superintendent has left his own mark on the Institute. “I believe VMI is better today than when I arrived. We have improved the academic and well-being resources, and we have invested in our people. An investment in them gives you a return investment to know that the college you go to, the experience you’re undergoing, you have every opportunity to do it with the best resources, the best instructors, the best faculty, and the best environment that could possibly be done for any college in America.”

He concluded by stating that his departure signals the next phase in VMI’s history. “We don’t know who the next superintendent is going to be, but we know that the future is bright.” To the Class of 2025, he said, “We arrived together, and we will depart together.” To the entire Corps, he said, “It’s been an honor and privilege to watch each class mature from your day of matriculation until your graduation. I’m very proud of that. I’m proud of the leaders that you all have become and how you demonstrate leadership. And I know that your brand and leadership will carry you into the future. You will be prepared for the many challenges the world faces. And I hope that as you rise up to those challenges, you will remember some of the things that you learned here, that you demonstrated here, and that you value as important and that you carry it through a lifetime.” After thanking the cadets, they stood at attention as he exited the floor.

First Baptist Church in Lexington hosted a community celebration for Wins May 18. Rev. McKinley Williams, the church’s pastor, said, “The community wanted to come together and tell him and show him how much they appreciated him.”

The Wins will move back to their home in Northern Virginia. Wins has no immediate plans, but he will continue to support his beloved alma mater, as the Board of Visitors conferred upon Wins the status of superintendent emeritus, May 3, 2025.

Editor’s Note: This article originally ran in the June 2025 issue of the Institute Report.